OYSTER Big Ideas from Small Particles Neutron Research in Brief
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Delft University of Technology of University Delft OYSTER Big ideas from small particles Neutron research in brief OYSTER Why neutron research? Neutrons are released when atomic nuclei split. These extremely tiny a penetrating look particles penetrate deeply into material exposed to them. By measuring changes into matter in the neutrons’ speed and direction when they collide with atoms, we are able to look inside materials while the materials themselves remain intact. With the knowledge thus derived, we gain an idea of how materials originated and the processes which play a role. This allows us to change materials according to our OYSTER is the project that will make the specifications and give them the best properties for their function. research reactor of the Reactor Institute Delft (RID) considerably broader and more precise How does this neutron research in its applicability. With OYSTER, the neutrons work now? The neutrons produced through atomic generated in the reactor are cooled by a device fission in the research reactor are ”let containing liquid hydrogen, slowed down and loose” on materials. Around the research reactor are numerous extremely made steerable in beams. This makes new and advanced and mostly unique instruments better measurement techniques possible, even for making measurements. Neutrons have not only the desirable property allowing us to monitor the production of materials of penetrating deeply into materials, and nutrients in real time. they also have the vexing trait of being difficult to control. They cannot be steered with electrical or magnetic fields. Focusing them with lenses also has very OYSTER offers enormous benefits for little effect. The neutrons simply go every which way. international science, health care and industry. What major improvements will OYSTER bring? These are numerous. There is enormous benefit in being able to better manipulate neutrons despite their The RID is setting the pace worldwide with the development physical elusiveness. New measurement and production of instruments for research using neutrons. possibilities arise and existing methods These tools are widely used in research centers. Since will be improved a hundredfold. experimental and fundamental research programs are possible at the research reactor in Delft, the reactor plays an indispensable role among major international institutions. After OYSTER, this position will be strengthened by more research, greater precision, and greater spin-off benefits for society. OYSTER’s new capabilities ensure: n continuation of our edge among top international institutes n a boost for scientific research at the TU Delft n a boost for product development in the Netherlands and far beyond n development of more effective treatment methods in health care n new possibilities for energy generation and storage The OYSTER project (Optimized Yield – for Science, Technology & Education – of Radiation) requires an investment of approximately 20 million euros and will be operational in 2012. 1 OYSTER The improved reactor RID: Knowledge Center & Heat production OYSTER Innovator better, faster and more precise 3 MW The Reactor Institute Delft is a magnet Speed what does it for scientists. Rising talent as well as measurements of cold neutrons esteemed scientists are attracted to 500 m/s cutting edge research with unique Water function 1: Water slows down fast neutrons deliver? instruments. Intensity of cold neutron beam One of the three neutrons [4] (on page 4) released by nuclear fission must split another uranium 1 billion neutrons Through OYSTER, major limitations atom to keep the chain reaction going (the other neutrons are available for experiments). The speed per s per cm2 in the current neutron technology are of these fast neutrons is so great (20 million m/s) that almost all neutrons fly off without hitting a removed. Currently, ”warm” snapshots uranium nucleus. When the reaction takes place in water, the neutrons are only made at a short distance from collide with the water molecules and are slowed so dramatically the source because that is the only (to 2000 m/s) that they are able to react with the uranium place enough neutrons can be captured. nuclei. Without water no chain reaction occurs, and More neutrons, more power, more speed, and Through OYSTER, scientists will be much the nuclear fission stops. Water pool fundamentally better results. This is the best way less hindered by these limitations. With The reactor core sits the five existing and four advanced to describe OYSTER. It is a logical consequence in a water pool instruments still to be built, the (depth 8 m, volume of the success and the continuing further measurement capabilities will become 250 m3). development of the Hoger Onderwijs Reactor that more precise and more versatile. The thickness of Measurements can be made with both the concrete wall became operational in 1963. ”warm” and ”cold” neutrons; snapshots varies from 1 to as well as process-related findings can Circa 10 m about 2.5 m. be established. With OYSTER, the neutron source is coupled to a coolant of liquid hydrogen. At extremely low temperatures (250 degrees The RID is part of an international network of top institutes that procure below 0 Celsius), the properties of neutrons change in such a OYSTER EXPANSION Neutrons knowledge and instruments in Delft for way that they can more easily be guided and directed. In a box More power The 100 million billion a (production) process is simulated (temperature, pressure, their own research. The RID has been neutrons that are movement, mixing). The neutrons are steered crossways asked to contribute to the European generated every neutron institute under development, the The thermal power (heat through the box, and we see how the material being studied second in the reactor European Spallation Source. For a large production) of the reactor reacts to the treatment – in some cases even when changes will be increased from 2 to core fly off in all group of (international) companies, the occur quickly. 3 MW. By splitting more directions. Neutrons RID is of vital importance in developing uranium per second, 1.5 are uncharged products for the food industry, times more neutrons are particles and microelectronics, steel and plastics generated. About 3 grams therefore cannot be production, etc. What does OYSTER deliver? of uranium are then used steered with per day. magnets. The potential is vast. For example, through OYSTER we can see In the health care sector, the Reactor in real time: Institute Delft works with research hospitals in developing diagnostic n how hydrogen is stored in special metallo-organic buffers methods and treatments for fighting n how ultrathin coatings peel from surfaces Beam tubes cancer and other diseases. n how foods change their structure through movement, cooling Researchers want to conduct experiments with neutrons. Six beam Water vapor or heating. We therefore learn more about curdling and In the energy sector, neutron research tubes (diameter 20 cm) must lead the coagulation processes, important for the development of diet leads to better methods of storing neutrons from the pool to the experiments. foods. energy with hydrogen and batteries. n under what circumstances types of steel and plastic attain Neutrons that fly more or less straight into the their optimal properties beam tubes will reach the experimental setup. All other neutrons fly through the tube wall and are absorbed by the tube n under what circumstances and how the magnetic properties walls, the water and the concrete. Through OYSTER, about one in of materials change every million neutrons will reach an experimental setup. n how dune sand behaves under changing conditions so that we can make judgments about our sea walls n how change processes occur in mixtures such as paint Primary cooling circuitSecondary cooling circuit Water function 2: Water cools the reactor core RESEARCH REACTOR All heat released by the nuclear fission is led off through the water in the In a normal nuclear plant, the heat released by nuclear pool [5]. A pump ensures circulation (288 m3/h) through the pool. The fission is used to generate steam. The steam drives cooling water is suctioned off via a funnel along all the fuel plates. The turbines which produce electricity. warm water releases its heat in a heat exchanger [6] and once cooled The goal of the Delft reactor is to generate neutrons o (max. 40 C), flows back into the pool [7]. The secondary cooling system for conducting scientific experiments. discharges its heat to the environment [8] through evaporation into the air. 2 OYSTER 3 OYSTER COLD NEUTRONS New control rods Ventilation shaft OYSTER EXPANSION Six aluminum tubes filled with boron carbide can be inserted into the reactor Ventilators suck the air out of The main advantage of ”cold” neutrons is their greater Result of planned expansion De vernieuwde reactor core. If two of these control rods are lowered completely into the core, they the hall [2] and conduct it via a tendency to remain in the beam guides; consequently, 100 Warmteproductie absorb all free-flying neutrons and thereby stop the nuclear fission. If a filter and a ventilation shaft times more neutrons reach the experiments than with ”warm” Clean air The total neutron intensity of the modified reactor will be 3 MW power outage occurs, the control rods fall into the core by themselves. (height 60 m) outside. neutrons. A second advantage is that with the greater 100 times greater than that of the current reactor, allowing beter, sneller en preciezer meten Detectors measure the vented wavelength of ”cold” neutrons, larger structures become larger structures or smaller details in studied materials to Snelheid air for the presence of visible. A third advantage is that the ”cold” neutrons move less become visible than we can currently see. In addition, koude neutronen radioactive compounds. Waterfunctie 1: Water remt snelle neutronen af quickly through a test material, allowing more precise measurements can be taken 100 times more quickly than 575 m/s As soon as radioactivity is measurements.